Download Genetically Modified Organisms: The Facts

GENETICALLY MODIFIED
ORGANISMS: THE FACTS
Sydney Hayter|February 28, 2015
What is today about?




Clearly define genetic
modification
Public perception
State facts on genetically
modified organisms
Unbiased information
No “government shills”
Research-based info
Open minds and ears
Defining Genetic Modification

Very broad definition
 Almost
all produce as we know it today has been
genetically modified

Different forms:
 Selective
breeding
 Biotechnology
 Genetic engineering

Bottom line: altered genome
A Bit of History







12,000 BC
1973
1985
1990’s
1998
2008
2014
Genetic Engineering

Patented in March 1984
 Michael
A. Boss, John H. Kenten, John S. Emtage, Clive
R. Wood


“Multichain polypeptides or proteins and processes
for their production in cells of host organisms which
have been transformed by recombinant DNA
techniques.”
US Patent 4816397 A
http://www.google.com/patents/US4816397
Genetic Engineering

Purposeful addition of foreign gene(s) to the
genome of an organism
 Gene
holds information giving an organism a specific
trait
 Not


species-specific
Decreases time of producing new breeds
Decreases chances of undesirable traits
and mutations occurring from traditional crosses
This and the next 5 slides are compiled information from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln: http://agbiosafety.unl.edu/education/summary.htm
Genetic Engineering

DNA Extraction
 Pull
genetic material from organism with desired trait
Genetic Engineering

Gene Cloning
 Separate
single gene of interest from the rest of the
genome
 Thousands of copies
 Polymerase
Reaction
Chain
Genetic Engineering

Gene Design
 Allow
the gene to ‘work’ inside a new organism
 Cut with enzymes and replace separated regions
Genetic Engineering

Transformation
 Gene
insertion
 Impossible to insert into every cell of a plant
 Utilize
 Gene
tissue culture  undifferentiated plant cells
gun, agrobacterium, microfibers, electroporation
 Main
goal = deliver new gene into nucleus without killing the
cell

Plants then grown to maturity in a greenhouse
Genetic Engineering

Backcross Breeding
 Transgenic
plants crossed with an elite breeding line
using traditional methods
 Offspring
crossed back to elite line
But Why Genetic Modification?
Science = answering questions,
solving problems
 Allergies
 Crop improvement
 Aesthetics

Advantages of Genetic Engineering

Resistance
Pests
 Disease


Tolerance
Herbicide
 Drought
 Salinity
 Extreme weather
patterns


Improved Nutritional
and Grain Quality
Social
 Economic
 Environmental

 Fewer
pesticide and
herbicide
 Soil management
Public Perception

Internet has become blessing and a curse
 So

many sources, but how many accurate?
Who to trust?
All charts from UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education yearly public opinion survey; piecenter.com/food
What Went Wrong?


Sensationalist media
Misrepresentation
 “Silver



bullet”
Anybody can share information and become
“authority” on subject
European Union ‘precautionary principle’
“‘ Truth is a religious concept,’ he said. Science is
based on hypothesis.” – Peter Hadfield, Science
Reporter
Photo: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ricephotos/5516789000/in/album-72157626241604366/
Hadfield quote: http://geneticliteracyproject.org/2015/02/23/video-are-gm-foods-dangerous-renowned-science-reporter-geologist-takes-on-anti-gmo-fundamentalists/
What Anti-GMO says





10 Scientific Studies proving
GMO harmful

“Multiple Toxins From GMOs
Detected In Maternal and Fetal
Blood”

“DNA From Genetically
Modified Crops Can Be
Transferred Into Humans Who
Eat Them”
“New Study Links GMOs To
Gluten Disorders That Affect 18
Million Americans”




“ Study Links Genetically
Modified Corn to Rat Tumors”
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/04/08/10-scientific-studies-proving-gmos-can-be-harmful-to-human-health/
“Glyphosate Induces Human Breast
Cancer Cells Growth via Estrogen
Receptors”
“Glyphosate Linked To Birth
Defects”
“Study Links Glyphosate To
Autism, Parkinson’s and
Alzheimer’s”
“Chronically Ill Humans Have
Higher Glyphosate Levels Than
Healthy Humans”
“ Studies Link GMO Animal Feed to
Severe Stomach Inflammation and
Enlarged Uteri in Pigs”
“GMO risk assessment is based on
very little scientific evidence in the
sense that the testing methods
recommended are not adequate to
ensure safety”
Is That All True?
Is it “good science?”
Is it “real” science?
Not exactly…


“Multiple Toxins From GMOs Detected In
Maternal and Fetal Blood”
Detected BtCry1Ab (Bacillus thuringiensis-produced
protein) in maternal blood
 Test

engineered for plant detection
Proteins are messengers – no receptor, no action
 We
don’t possess BtCry1Ab receptor
 Chocolate toxicity in dogs
Not exactly…



“DNA From Genetically Modified Crops Can
Be Transferred Into Humans Who Eat Them”
Mincing words
Genes from food ingested detected in plasma
 Not


integrated into our genome!
All food contains DNA, including non-GMO
No negative control in the study
Not exactly…


“New Study Links GMOs To Gluten Disorders
That Affect 18 Million Americans”
No actual study
 Statements
from Institute for Responsible Technology
(IRT)
 No



research, nothing peer-reviewed
Celiac Disease Foundation has spoken out against
IRT - link is absent
No GMO wheat commercially produced!
Correlation  Causation
Not exactly…






“ Study Links Genetically Modified Corn to
Rat Tumors”
Notorious among science community
Retracted, recently republished without peer review
Directly fed glyphosate
Predisposed to tumors
No negative control
Not exactly…






“Glyphosate Induces Human Breast Cancer Cells
Growth via Estrogen Receptors”
In vitro study – cells are sensitive and need
different environment than normal human tissue
No data on controls – how to compare?
Misinterpretation – causes cancer cells to
proliferate, doesn’t cause cancer itself
Most scientific studies point to protective qualities of
glyphosate on cellular structure
Soybean component can cause similar effects
Not exactly…




“Glyphosate Linked To Birth Defects”
No peer review
No statistical analysis
Published by an NGO
 Co-founder
is owner of GMO testing
 Conflict of interest
Frog embryos incubated directly
in glyphosate
http://www.i-sis.org.uk/glyphosateCausesBirthDefects.php
Not exactly…


“Study Links Glyphosate To Autism, Parkinson’s
and Alzheimer’s”
Only a hypothesis – no research conducted
 Zero
data presented
 Does not fit title of “study”

“Pay for Play” journal
 Risky

for community
Lack of fact-checking by media reporting
information
Not exactly…



“Chronically Ill Humans Have Higher Glyphosate
Levels Than Healthy Humans”
Published in a journal owned by predatory
publisher – for a fee anything printed
No background data on humans or animals studied
 Age/Sex/Height/Weight/Genetics
 Washing
food habits/Amount consumed/Organic vs
conventional

Never defined “chronically ill”
Not exactly…





“Studies Link GMO Animal Feed to Severe
Stomach Inflammation and Enlarged Uteri in
Pigs”
Inconsistent definition of inflammation
GM-feed has protective effects in some instances
No feed composition analysis
Abnormally high pneumonia rate
among all animals
http://www.organic-systems.org/journal/81/8106.pdf
Not exactly…




“GMO risk assessment is based on very little
scientific evidence in the sense that the testing
methods recommended are not adequate to
ensure safety”
Not a study…
Includes review of crops not submitted for
regulatory approval
Editorial and commentary
The Disconnect



Scientific thinking has to be taught
Science is a method
Always question!


(But go to trusted sources for answers)
Media has grown short on science
and heavy on ideology
Scientific Consensus


18 years of peer-reviewed research = safe for
consumption
Pew Research Center – 88% of scientists associated
with American Association for Advancement of
Science agree genetically modified foods safe
 79%
of general public say science has made life easier
http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/01/29/public-and-scientists-views-on-science-and-society/
Why are Scientists so Confident?


Genetic engineering has existed for 30 years
Genetically modified organisms go through much
more rigorous testing than any other food products
 Coordinated
Framework – Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) works in conjunction with
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and
Plant Health Inspection Society (APHIS)
 Ensure
no negative impacts on human health or environment
References












Arlia, W. (2014) 10 Scientific Studies Proving GMOs Can Be Harmful to Human Health. Collective Evolution.
http://www.collective-evolution.com/2014/04/08/10-scientific-studies-proving-gmos-can-be-harmful-to-human-health/
Carman, J. et al (2013) A long-term toxicology study on pigs fed a combined genetically modified (GM) soy and GM
maize diet. Journal of Organic Systems 8(1).
Funk, C and Raine, L. (2015) Public and Scientists’ Views on Science and Society. Pew Research Center
http://www.pewinternet.org/2015/01/29/public-and-scientists-views-on-science-and-society/
Hammer, R. et al (1985) Production of transgenic rabbits, sheep and pigs by microinjection. Nature, 315, 680-683
Hanrahan, C. (2010) Agricultural Biotechnology: The U.S.-EU Dispute. Congressional Research Service, 7-5700, www.crs.gov,
RS21556
Hooykas, P.J. and Schilperoot, R.A. (1992) Agrobacterium and plant genetic engineering. 10 Years Plant Molecular Biology,
pp 15-38
Imai, C., Iwamoto, S., Campana, D. (2005) Genetic modification of primary natural killer cells overcomes inhibitory signals
and induces specific killing of leukemic cells. Blood 106(1), 376-383
Jones, J. (2015). GM regulation ‘not fit for purpose’ says Commons committee – and it’s right.
http://theconversation.com/gm-regulation-not-fit-for-purpose-says-commons-committee-and-its-right-38016
Katiraee, L. (2015) 10 studies proving GMOs are harmful? Not if science matters. Genetic Literacy Project
http://geneticliteracyproject.org/2015/01/26/10-studies-proving-gmos-are-harmful-not-if-science-matters/
Long, M. (2015) Answering critics of GMO foods and genetic engineering. Lancaster Online.
http://lancasteronline.com/features/answering-critics-of-gmo-foods-and-genetic-engineering/article_800ffe38-bc41-11e4ae6c-c7cbbca261d7.html?TNNoMobile
GM foods and application of the precautionary principle in Europe: Terms of reference.
http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/science-and-technologycommittee/news/140214-gm-foods-and-application-of-the-precautionary-principle-in-europe/
http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/resources/timeline/1973_Boyer.php